Denver vs Albuquerque: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Denver, CO and Albuquerque, NM. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Denver
Colorado
Cost Index105.8
Median Rent$1,831/mo
Median Income$95K
State Tax4.4%
Average
City B
Albuquerque
New Mexico
Cost Index95.5
Median Rent$1,145/mo
Median Income$68K
State Tax5.9%
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Albuquerque to match your lifestyle in Denver?
$80,000
Denver
$80,000
Cost Index: 105.8
Albuquerque
$72,259
Cost Index: 95.5
You need $7,741 less in Albuquerque to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-9.7%
Denver105.8
Albuquerque95.5
Median Rent-37.5%
Denver$2K
Albuquerque$1K
Median Income-27.9%
Denver$95K
Albuquerque$68K
Grocery Index-68.9%
Denver321.9
Albuquerque100.0
Utilities Index~equal
Denver100.0
Albuquerque100.0
Transportation-70.9%
Denver343.7
Albuquerque100.0
Healthcare~equal
Denver100.0
Albuquerque100.0
State Tax Rate+34.1%
Denver4.40%
Albuquerque5.90%
Side-by-Side Chart
Denver: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($95K)
Lower state income tax (4.4%)
Lower unemployment (3.6%)
10% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,831/mo vs $1,145/mo
Albuquerque: Pros & Cons
10% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,145/mo vs $1,831/mo
Lower grocery costs
Higher state income tax (5.9%)
Denver vs Albuquerque – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Denver and Albuquerque.
Denver has a cost of living index of 105.8, while Albuquerque scores 95.5. Denver is approximately -9.7% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,831/month compared to $1,145/month in Albuquerque — a difference of 37%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 90% of your Denver salary to maintain the same standard of living in Albuquerque. For example, a $75,000 salary in Denver would need to be about $67,743 in Albuquerque. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Denver has a median household income of $94,718 with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Albuquerque has a median household income of $68,317 with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. While income is higher in Denver, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.